[razorlab]

So I picked up a 2014 Ford Fiesta ST to play with. There are a bunch of reasons I did this so I'll just make a simple numbered list to help explain why.

1. I wanted a small lightweight car again (It's 27XXlbs)
2. I wanted to learn the Ford ECU
3. I wanted to track a small lightweight car
4. I wanted a small lightweight car that got great gas mileage for my commute

That's about it overall for the reasons. With over 20 years of driving Mitsubishis, Subarus and VW's I never ever ever ever thought I would own a Ford....

For some reason the Focus ST never really intrigued me. After reading all the press about the Fiesta ST, it did intrigue me, I went and test drove a bunch and I totally fell in love with the car. It really feels like something special, a Ford engineering baby.

I still own my current Evo, an Evo 10, for now. It's in a different league for sure, but I didn't buy the Fiesta ST to replace the Evo. So enough about that.

This thread will serve as a place to post my findings as I learn the car, the ECU, etc.

I come from a tuning background. I used to tune Mitsubishis professionally, mainly Evos. Most recently a 2005 Evo 8 MR for 10 years that was my personal project, that I tuned and tracked. It had 500hp on E85. I also had a 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart that I also tweaked and tuned to 400hp on E85. As stated above still have my Evo 10, 400hp, also on E85. You can sense what's coming for the Fiesta ST then.

Initial photos, 100% stock minus upgraded wheels/tires.

2014 Ford Fiesta ST
Options:
Recaro Package
Navigation
Sunroof
"Rado" wheel package (painted wheels and brake calipers)

Wheels replaced with Sparco Assetto Gara 17x7 +42 satin black
Tire replaced with Bridgestone Potenza S-04 205/45/17

 

[razorlab]

So I've been learning the ECU. Using COBB Accessport with Race Tuner software.

It's very complex. Very very, VERY. Still a bunch to learn and figure out but so far the car is making pretty good gains but I think I might have it tapped out 100% stock. Pushing it more than this made it very cranky and inconsistent so I'll probably pull it back a little until I upgrade the FMIC and get some more flow modifications.

91 oct.

 

[razorlab]

So I'm running the car a little leaner now at cruise and light throttle. From 14.7 to 14.9.

Surprisingly, on my morning commute today, my MPG went from around 29 to 30.5 which is pretty damn good. Should be interesting to see what the full tank averages out to be.

 

[Cligedy]

I have a question for you, in STx autocross classes, tunes are an allowed modification. However, the tune cannot alter "boost controls". Is there a way to tune the ecu for reasonable power gains and leave the boost controls untouched, or is the system so complex that most changes will alter boost. . For example, does changing the torque target also change the boost map? Thanks for your insights, cool to hear about somebody digging into this.

 

[billyboc]

I writing down the upgrade list for the STx and I scratch my head about that.. very,very,Very interested about Cligedy question!

 

[WScottCross]

Changes that RESULT in increased boost are allowed as long as the boost controls are not directly modified. This is why I ended up in DSP class with the Cobb stage 1.

 

[razorlab]

Bilstein Coilovers showed up today. Currently trunk mounted.

 

[onederer]

are those the Bilsteins for the ST or the older setup for Regular Fiestas up to 2013? or are they one in the same?

 

[razorlab]

Put in some E85 on the way home today, now the real fun starts.

 

[razorlab]

Welp, this little guy is seriously waking up with Ethanol!

I logged a bit on my commute to work this morning after tweaking the tune a little bit last night. Got the LTFT/STFT back in line and adding some timing. Feels like a proper turbocharged car now. Can't wait to do more tweaking.

Here is a log with a brief 3rd gear WOT to around 5,200 rpm or so:

http://datazap.me/u/razorlab/fist-e...1-12-13-14-15-18&solo=2-4-9-13-15&zoom=89-139

Good news is the HPFP looks like it's keeping up no problem at E30 level so far.

 

[razorlab]

LTFT/STFT still in line. Car feels much stronger with Ethanol (not a surprise).

I'll get some power numbers up this weekend.

This little guy loves Ethanol

 

[razorlab]

Ok here is an update with where I am at with E30!

Before I get to the results, I wanted to say that I found that my logging road shows higher VirtualDyno results on one side of the street compared to the other which has a slight decline. So I went back and ran my logs all from one side of the street which was flatter and they all seemed more inline so I am going to be using that side of the street from now on. You will see my "Stage 1 with tweaks" is showing lower numbers now. Honestly I think this is more accurate by how the car felt tuned on 91, vs stock on 91, and also more inline with the curves I have seen from the COBB maps.

Ok... so with that out of the way...

Here is my first rev of the E30 tune vs stock tune. Pretty big gains for such a dinky turbo car and the same boost levels as my 91 octane tune. Remember the car is 100% stock power wise except for the tune.

It was about 15 degrees hotter today compared to the stock and stage 1 tweaks runs. My Charge temps increased 25 degrees over the span of a single pull. Time for an FMIC upgrade!

Here are all three, stock, Stage 1 with tweaks on 91 octane and where I am at currently on E30

I'm going to be tweaking the E30 tune a little bit more before I move to higher Ethanol levels. I think there is a little bit more room up top for ignition timing.

After logging IPW tonight, IDC's are no problem. Going by the Focus ST guys, the HPFP will be the limiting factor on Ethanol, before the injectors. HPFP might not even be a limiting factor for us with our dinky turbo.

Here are IDC's from my car on E30!

3446 RPM
9.06 IPW
26.02% IDC

6290 RPM
6.83 IPW
35.29% IDC

If our stock injectors are the same as the Focus ST, I believe they are 1kcc.

 

[WScottCross]

So you're mixing E10 and E85 at the pump and using ATR to roll your own tunes? Looking for others to test that tune as well? I have ATR, but I have an induction tube and K&N panel filter. Those shouldn't make a huge difference.

 

[razorlab]

So you're mixing E10 and E85 at the pump and using ATR to roll your own tunes? Looking for others to test that tune as well? I have ATR, but I have an induction tube and K&N panel filter. Those shouldn't make a huge difference.

It's currently 4 gallons of E85 to the rest of the tank 91 octane.

 

[WScottCross]

It's currently 4 gallons of E85 to the rest of the tank 91 octane.

Willing to share that tune?

 

[razorlab]

Here is RPM, Boost, Fuel Rail Pressure.

 

[RodMoe]

Heck I'll test it for ya if you are willing to share lol NSA Stage 3 here btw ATR as well

 

[razorlab]

Assembled the Bilstein coilovers today to prepare for install. At under $800 on this platform, these seem like an outstanding value for the money!

Looking forward to installing these.

 

[totusPorcus]

interesting. finally someone is providing some details about fuel pressue and air/stoic.

as someone who did similar to your evo with my WRX (though i dont tune professionally). blouch evo III 16 g, bigger top mount, id 1000 injectors, bigger fuel pump and a custom ground control suspension, i am very curious about running a slightly bigger turbo and e85 which is what i did with my WRX. which left it a good street performer and didnt break my tranny which is the weakest link in the WRX platform. i get an honest 300whp in a car that came stock with 220 at the crank.

So are you gonna upgrade the turbo and still try to run e85? i am curious if the fuel pump is limiting. i also follow the corvette forum and the aftermarket already supplies cam shafts with upgraded lobes for running HPFP and e85 on c7s.

was your coil over a fiesta st specific setup or just fiesta?

already talked to ground control about custom coil overs but no luck yet. i want to upgrade my suspension but keep the ride height stock.

 

[razorlab]

So are you gonna upgrade the turbo and still try to run e85?

Going to wait to see the offerings coming up. I think the car would be great with more HP than torque, because of traction. The BW turbo that 2J-Racing is developing could be the ticket.

was your coil over a fiesta st specific setup or just fiesta?

It's the same kit as for the normal Fiesta and Mazda 2. The spring rates are approx 100lb stiffer than stock ST spring rates. I wanted something with better dampening and slightly stiffer spring rates.

Spring rates:

Bilstein
275 f
230 r

Stock
171 f
143 r